HIGHER LEVEL INSTITUTE

Sunday Faustino Sarmiento

NATURAL WORLD RESEARCH

PRACTICAL RESEARCH WORK ON CHEMICAL

FERTILIZERS

TEACHER: ALTAMIRANO, DIANA

STUDENTS: ALBORNOZ, JENIFER;

FERNANDEZ, GISELLE;
GUEX, JOHANA;
PARELLADA, CRISTINA;
ZALAZAR, ARACELI;
ZALAZAR, SILVIA.

YEAR 2014
INTRODUCTION
The topic of our research is “Chemical Fertilizers” and the problem we will
address is their negative impact on health and the environment. The relevance of
this problem lies in the fact that excessive chemical fertilization is causing serious
damage to the environment and to the health of the population.
Based on the above, the objective of this work is to promote, through the
research carried out, the use of organic fertilizers at home and to reduce as much
as possible the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture.
We will include expert opinions on the disadvantages of using chemical
fertilizers, we will make an experimental comparison between the use of chemical
and organic fertilizers in the care of a plant and finally we will conduct a survey to
collect information about the number of people who use chemical fertilizers in their
homes.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Plants need nutrients to grow, which they obtain directly from the soil and
irrigation water. When a plant grows, it takes nutrients from the soil and uses them
to develop leaves, flowers, and fruits. Because of this, the soil loses fertility,
because there are fewer and fewer nutrients left.
For their metabolism, plants need nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and
potassium (K), and to a lesser extent sulfur (S), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg).
In addition to small amounts of the following nutrients (called trace elements): iron
(Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), manganese (Mn), chlorine (Cl) and
molybdenum (Mo).
Fertilizers are substances, usually artificial chemical mixtures, that are
applied to soil or plants to make it more fertile. They provide the soil with the
necessary nutrients to provide the plant with optimal development and therefore a
high yield in crop production. A fertilizer is prepared in different grades, it is
measured according to its percentage of N, P and K. For example, a 10-30-30
grade fertilizer means it has 10% N, 30% P as P2O5 , and 10% K as K2O; the
missing percentage consists of filler materials (clay, sand, etc.), moisture, and a
portion of free acids and salts from the chemical processes involved.
One of the consequences of using fertilizers is that their excessive or
continuous application acidifies the soil, promotes erosion, affects organisms (flora
and fauna) and alters the chemical-physical properties of the soil components. The
chemical components applied in fertilizers dissolve in the soil solution, are retained
by clays and organic matter (adsorption), or filter through the soil to reach bodies of
water. For example, phosphorus (phosphates) is adsorbed by soil components
(organic matter and clays) and under low pH conditions, it limits the amount of
phosphates available to plants. Some acid bases such as nitrates and sulphates
from the preparation of fertilisers are converted into sulphuric and nitric acids which
increase acidity and react with soil minerals. Salts and acids that leach into bodies
of water affect their chemical and physical properties. For example, lakes that
collect effluent from agricultural areas carry large quantities of phosphates and
nitrates that stimulate the proliferation of aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth.
Our hypothesis is that the proper production and application of organic
fertilizers will allow the production of fruits, vegetables and plants without
chemicals that will benefit the health of the population and are much healthier for
the soil, although they do not provide the same nutrients, they help to preserve
healthy soil without deterioration, contribute to sustainable development and leave
a better world for future generations.
Organic fertilization is a way of making the soil where crops are to be grown
more fertile with natural fertilizers, so that the planted plants can be better
nourished and thus grow and develop well. There are many different types of
natural fertilizers, but the most commonly used is compost, which is obtained from
plant remains (vegetables, fruits, etc.), excrement from herbivorous animals and
dead plants. Leaf soil is also used, which is soil that has been formed from the
disintegration of fallen leaves from trees and mixed with soil from the ground.

DEVELOPMENT
Excessive chemical fertilization is causing serious damage to the
environment. A total of 140 researchers and technicians from companies have
analysed methods to improve fertilisation and minimise environmental impact at
universities. Mineral nutrition experts have sounded the alarm about the
environmental problems caused by high amounts of nitrogen in crops. This fertilizer
is one of the most used by farmers because it considerably improves production
performance. However, according to scientists, excessive use of it can cause
serious damage to the atmosphere and the water we consume.
In an attempt to mitigate the effects of this type of agricultural system and to
find possible solutions, researchers from various public research centres,
universities and companies in the fertiliser sector have met to present the results of
the latest studies on mineral nutrition in plants. The aim of this meeting was to
establish the necessary tools to minimise the environmental impact caused by the
high nutrient levels of crops and to favour production processes.
Nitrogen is a very important production factor because it determines yield.
However, it has been proven that the use of this nutrient affects the quality of water
and the atmosphere. On the one hand, waters with high concentrations of nitrates
produce a type of algae that consume oxygen and prevent the development of
fauna. On the other hand, the gases emitted by crops with very high levels of
nitrogen promote global warming of the earth and cause respiratory problems in
people with asthma. One of the most serious diseases resulting from nitrogen
ingestion is methemoglobinemia or blue baby disease. It is a pathology that mainly
affects babies and causes a lack of oxygen in the blood. The proliferation of cases
related to nitrate poisoning has already led many canning and baby food industries
to increase their level of demands on farmers in order to avoid damage to public
health. Five out of every thousand children are born sick, and in Alicia (Córdoba)
an alarming mental retardation was found in children.
Below we transcribe a dissertation by Dr. Hugo Gómez Demaio1:
Chemical fertilizers are the most widely used on the market today, and there
are a variety of them, applicable to different needs. There are conventional
fertilizers, which are the most commonly used in gardens and agriculture. In turn,
these agrochemicals are generally chosen for their ease of absorption. On the
other hand, there are slow-absorbing fertilizers, which are those that dissolve
slowly and take longer for the nutrients necessary for the development and growth
of plants to reach the roots. There are also chemical fertilizers, combined with
organic matter, which are used in all types of crops. Another type is the one that is
sprayed on plants. These sprays are foliar fertilizers, and are used to complement
chemical fertilizers, which are used for a much deeper fertilization of the soil.

1
Associate Professor, Teaching Coordinator of the Postgraduate Pediatrics Course with the approval of the
Honorable Board of Directors of the Faculty of Medicine of UNNE, under the auspices of the Ministry of Public
Health and the College of Physicians of the Province of Misiones, from March 1993 to the present.
Finally, we can identify those that are responsible for supplying the specific
deficiencies of the soil, of one or more of the nutrients that are needed for the
optimal development of the plants. In addition to these types of agrochemicals,
there are others created specifically for each type of plant and the most common
deficiencies of different plantations. The level of fertilizer to be used in each
plantation must be taken into account, and with this, the type of minerals that the
soil needs to be able to provide them to the plants. Despite the benefits of using
agrochemicals, it brings with it a problem. These chemical fertilizers, when used
excessively, cause serious contamination of plantations and water wells located
near the crops.
In addition to the agrochemicals used in plantations and harvests, there are
other chemical products used in these fields to optimize their production. These are
chemical substances such as insecticides and fungicides that serve to eliminate
pests that may occur in different crops and harvests. The benefits of using
agrochemicals are several. First, its use achieves in each case, depending on what
type of chemical fertilizer we are talking about, the reduction of the problem for
which the agrochemical was used; this would basically be that if we are dealing
with pest problems of some type of insect, we must quickly locate what type of pest
it is, then verify the solution, preferably without the use of chemicals. But in the
event that there is no other option, the use of insecticides presented in different
formats and forms of application is the most viable way to stop the expansion of
the pest, thus avoiding the complete destruction of the crop production. Likewise, if
we are faced with a type of fungus, the corresponding fungicide can be used to
eliminate it, since the presence of some types of fungi results in the elimination of
the fungus, since the presence of some types of fungi results in the appearance of
diseases that can even cause the death of the crop.
Based on what Dr. Demaio has said, we believe that it is very important to
keep chemical fertilizers used in places where children cannot access them and
also away from animals that may be found in the area.

The XI Iberian Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Plants is a congress

whose objective is to bring together scientists and technicians from a wide range of
disciplines and activities related to plant nutrition, in order to promote the exchange
of knowledge, ideas, experiences and techniques. The conference will feature
experts who address mineral nutrition in plants from the perspectives of molecular
biology, microorganisms, physiology, the effect of fertilization on crop production
and quality, and the effect of fertilizers on the environment. Organised by the
Spanish and Portuguese Societies of Plant Physiology and the Public University of
Navarra, it brought together 140 experts from Spain, Portugal, France, Brazil, Chile
and Argentina.
 Among the various speakers who have met at this meeting, the presence of
the professor and vice-rector of the University of Lisbon, Mª Amelia Martins-
Louçao, stands out. Professor Martins-Louçao, who has participated in various
European projects and is considered a leading authority in the field of nitrogen
nutrition for plants, has expressed great concern about the negative consequences
that the excess of fertilizers that farmers use on crops is having on the ecosystem.
The Portuguese researcher has insisted on the need to raise awareness in society
so that it is aware of the environmental risk involved in this practice, which, like
greenhouse gases, is contributing to global warming.
Global warming is causing a number of changes in the Earth's climate, or
long-term weather patterns that vary from place to place. As the Earth spins each
day, this new heat spins back, picking up moisture from the oceans, rising here
and settling there. The pace of the climate to which all living beings have become
accustomed is changing.
The Eng. M.Sc. Fernando S. Gonzáles Huiman argues that fertilizer
pollution occurs when fertilizers are used in larger quantities than crops can
absorb, or when they are washed away from the soil surface by water or wind
before they can be absorbed. Excess nitrogen and phosphates can infiltrate
groundwater or be washed into waterways. This nutrient overload causes
eutrophication of lakes, reservoirs and ponds and leads to an explosion of algae
that suppresses other aquatic plants and animals. In ecology, the term
eutrophication or eutrophication defines the enrichment of an ecosystem with
nutrients at a rate that cannot be compensated by its natural removal methods. It is
then, that ecosystem or environment characterized by an abnormal abundance of
nutrients, which results in the production of an excess of organic matter that
requires a high demand of oxygen for its decomposition, until the latter disappears.
Agricultural, forestry and fishing methods and their extent are the main causes of
the world's biodiversity loss. The overall external costs of all three sectors can be
considerable.
Below we include the symptoms and effects of eutrophication:
 Increase in the production and biomass of phytoplankton (organisms that
live suspended in water), associated algae and macrophytes;
 Modification of habitat characteristics due to the transformation of the set of
aquatic plants;
 Production of toxins by certain algae;
 Increased operating costs of public water supply systems, as well as taste
and odour problems, especially during periods of algae blooms;
 Deoxygenation of water, especially at the end of algae blooms, which
usually results in fish kills;
  Clogging and obstruction of irrigation channels by aquatic weeds (water
hyacinth may present problems of introduction, not necessarily of
eutrophication);
 Reduced recreational water use opportunities due to mud, weed infestation
and unpleasant odours caused by algae decomposition;
 Impediments to navigation due to the growth of dense masses of weeds;
 Economic losses due to modification of fish species, fish mortality, etc.

Agricultural production has profound effects on the environment as a whole.

They are the main source of water pollution by nitrates, phosphates and pesticides.
They are also the largest anthropogenic source of the greenhouse gases methane
and nitrous oxide, and contribute significantly to other types of air and water
pollution. Agriculture also affects the foundation of its own future through land
degradation, salinization, excessive water extraction and the reduction of
agricultural genetic diversity. However, the long-term consequences of these
processes are difficult to quantify.
Crop projections for 2030 assume lower growth in nitrogen fertilizer use than in
the past. If yields can be improved, the increase in total fertilizer use between
1997-99 and 2030 could be as little as 37 percent. However, current use in many
developing countries is highly ineffective. In China, the world's largest consumer of
nitrogen fertilizers, nearly half of applied nitrogen is lost through volatilization and a
further 5 to 10 percent through infiltration. By using more sustainable production
methods, the effects of agriculture on the environment can be mitigated. There is
no doubt that in some cases agriculture can play an important role in reversing
these effects, for example by storing carbon in soils, improving water filtration and
conserving rural landscapes and biodiversity.
Nitrate pollution: Nitrogen is one of the main contaminants of groundwater. It is
known that plants only use 50% of the nitrogen supplied by fertilization, which
means that the excess nitrogen is lost, generally washed from the soil by water that
filters into the subsoil, being carried towards aquifers, rivers and reservoirs, thus
contaminating water intended for human consumption. In fact, many research
papers have concluded that the main factor responsible for groundwater
contamination by nitrates is agriculture. This phenomenon has been widely studied
in the United Kingdom, and it is estimated that, with the fertilization rates normally
recommended in that country, losses of 50-60 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year
occur, and in some places they reach 100 kg. It is also noted that, in the same
area, of the total nitrate inputs to the aquifer, 58% comes from agricultural
activities. In Castellón, citrus crops can lose up to 250 kg.
In general, all authors seem to agree that excessive nitrogen fertilization and its
defective application are the causes that contribute most to nitrate contamination of
groundwater. Various studies carried out in Spain show that nitrate contamination
of groundwater affects large areas. The most polluted areas are, in many cases,
those where intensive agriculture is practiced, with high inputs of fertilizers and
irrigation.
Effects of nitrates on health: The main problem with nitrates is that they can be
reduced to nitrites in the human body, especially in children under three months of
age and in adults with certain problems. Nitrites produce the transformation of
hemoglobin into methemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting
oxygen through blood vessels and capillaries, but methemoglobin is not capable of
capturing and releasing oxygen in a functional way. The normal amount of
methemoglobin does not exceed 2%. The first signs of cyanosis appear in between
5 and 10%. Between 10 and 20% of cases show a lack of muscle oxygenation, and
above 50% it can be fatal.
Once nitrites are formed, they can react with amines, substances widely
present in our body, giving rise to nitrosamines, a type of compound whose
carcinogenic action is beyond doubt. Laboratory experiments have shown that
around 75% of them can cause liver cancer and, although less frequently, also
lung, stomach, kidney, esophagus and pancreas cancer. It has also been proven
that there is a direct correlation between the consumption of food or water with
excess nitrates and gastric cancers and between work in chemical fertilizer
factories and said cancers.
It has been proven that when pregnant women ingest high amounts of nitrates,
mortality increases during the first days of the child's life, mainly due to
malformations that affect the central nervous system, the muscular system or the
bone system. Adverse effects on hormonal glands have also been described.
Organic farming, by not using highly soluble fertilizers, has a much lower risk of
contamination2.
Environmental impact of phosphate fertilizers: The environmental problem of
phosphates is, like that of N, the eutrophication of waters. Phosphates are the main
source of pollution of lakes and streams, and high levels of phosphate promote
overproduction of algae and aquatic weeds. However, many of us have
misconceptions about the source of polluting phosphates, and many homeowners
unwittingly contribute to the problem.
Lawn and garden fertilizers are often the primary source of phosphate
contamination. However, some research clearly shows that if fertilizer is applied
properly, it does not pollute. When phosphates are applied to soil, they attach to
soil particles, much like paper clips attach to a magnet. Phosphates intended for
land contribute to pollution only if erosion occurs. Some research has found little or
no difference in the phosphate content of excess rainfall rejected by lawns treated
with phosphate or non-phosphate fertilizers.
2
Fernando, Gonzales H. Agricultural Engineer. PhD in Environment and Sustainable Development.
 Pollution by Sulfur, Calcium and Magnesium Fertilizers:
Magnesium: The side effects of magnesium fertilizers are of little importance.
Particular care should be taken to avoid applying large amounts of MgCl2 to
chlorine-sensitive plants.
Calcium: Used for amendments, to improve soil structure rather than as a
fertilizer and to raise pH.
Sulfur: Toxic effect of SO2 on plants; acidifying effect of SO2 in acid3 rain.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Each member of the group will be in charge of caring for a plant with a
different type of fertilizer in order to compare the growth and characteristics that
each one acquires over time and to analyze whether the use of chemical fertilizers
is essential.
MEMBER N° 1: Guex, Johana Teresa
Plant name: Red coral (Corallium rubrum)
Method: watered with liquid chemical fertilizer every fifteen days and watered with
water alone every four days.
Fertilizer data:
 Brand: Fertifox
 Lot A/04
 Due November 2019
 Grade 18-1-4 (18%N-1%F-4%K)

3
Source of information http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizante
MEMBER #2: Silvia Marcela Zalazar
Name of the plant: Duranta
Method: Organic fertilizer Compost (material obtained from plant remains (potato
peel) and other organic matter (eggshell). Add compost once a week and water it
half a day.

FIRST WEEK (plant with compost and watering)

Organic compost fertilizer (vegetable and organic material)
SECOND WEEK (plant with compost, water and remove soil)
Organic compost fertilizer

THIRD WEEK (plant with compost)

Organic compost fertilizer
SURVEY
Total number of people surveyed: 6
Objective: to determine how many of the six people surveyed use chemical
fertilizers and if they know the damage they cause.

Questions:
Do you use chemical fertilizers on your plants?
Are you aware of the negative impact it has on health and the environment?
Have you ever used fertilizers to care for your plants?
Why do you choose chemical fertilizer instead of organic?
CONCLUSION
As we have explained in this report, excessive chemical fertilization is
causing serious damage to the environment and to the health of the population.
Nitrogen, the main component of this type of fertilizer, has been shown to affect the
quality of water and the atmosphere, as well as causing respiratory problems in
people with asthma. Methemoglobinemia or blue baby disease is a pathology
caused by nitrogen ingestion that mainly affects babies and causes a lack of
oxygen in the blood.
We proposed the hypothesis that replacing chemical fertilizers with organic
ones would eradicate or reduce this negative impact caused by the use of
agrochemicals in agriculture. Organic fertilization is based on giving greater fertility
to the soil with natural fertilizers. There are many different natural fertilizers, but the
one most commonly used in organic gardening is compost, which is obtained from
plant remains (vegetables, fruits, etc.), excrement from herbivorous animals and
dead plants.
We collected and analyzed information provided by experts on the subject,
we carried out an experimental activity with the aim of arguing that the use of
chemical substances is not essential in the care of domestic plants and finally we
carried out a survey to promote the use of organic fertilizers and compost.
During the research process, we were able to corroborate our hypothesis
and concluded that the use of these agrochemicals must be managed with social
responsibility and, if possible, replaced by organic products that produce benefits
for the farmer, the product, and the environment.
LITERATURE

 http://noticias.universia.es/ciencia-nn-tt/noticia/2006/07/23/596819/exceso-
fertilizados-esta-causando-graves-danos-medioambiente.html
 http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer
 http://blogs.lavozdegalicia.es/menudeldia/tag/fertilizados-quimicos/
 http://fgonzalesh.blogspot.com.ar/2011/01/contaminacion-por-fertilizados-
un.html
 http://www.unavarra.es/actualidad/noticias?pagina=1&contentId=163955
 http://prezi.com/7ilsyzhbwmqx/fertilizados-quimicos/
 http://www.lenntech.es/nitratos.htm (nitrates and methemoglobinemia)
 http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/2111/211117817004.pdf (well water
contamination as a cause of methemoglobinemia in children)

ANNEXES
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http://sosoceanos.blogspot.com.ar/2010/07/floracion-masiva-de-algas-en-las-costas.html